Seaside SandFest Sept 12-15, 2024

05/21/2024

I'm pleased to announce that the Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort in Seaside Is now offering a 20% room discount for the Seaside SandFest.
You need to call, and ask for the room discount.

Glad to have the support of the Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort in Seaside.

As an independent booking service offering over 100,000 hotels worldwide, we can get you the same deals you expect with a bigger travel agency or direct from the hotel.

05/21/2024

Lesson Beach will again be a big part of SandFest.
Everything you wished you knew when you were 8 years old.
We teach the physics of sand and water, and the practical on how Anyone, can make an impressive sand castle/sculpture.
All tools, instructors, water and sand provided.

This is the same technique that the Masters use to make their sculptures.
Not JUST for Kids!

05/19/2024

Hello SandFest Fans,
Good news, we got a grant for the Masters Exhibition, and for the 1st time, a grant for Lesson Beach.

Now the focus is on Sponsors.
Do you have a business that would like to be involved with SandFest? Either Lesson Beach? or the Masters Exhibition?
Or know of a business that would be a good fit?
Sponsors get a great logo carved on the logo berm, and other benefits.

04/28/2024

Do you like the Seaside SandFest?
Can I ask you to write an Email telling the Seaside Tourism that you like the event? and if you are planning on coming this year? and if you are getting a Hotel?

Send it to Joshua Heineman at [email protected]
It means A LOT!
(Due by Friday May 3)

So it's that time of year, When Seaside SandFest applies to the Seaside Tourism Grant Program for funding for SandFest.
"The goal of Seaside’s Tourism Grant Program is to support and coordinate event development to ensure that Seaside can meet or exceed visitor expectations as a tourism destination and derive the greatest possible economic impact from visitor spending."
IE, they are investing in events that bring people to Seaside. IE "Heads in Beds".

The 1st year, SSF received a grant of $5000. (And SSF broke even that year). Last year, because lots more events asking for grants, SSF received $3000. (And SSF lost over $2000 on the event).
The Lesson Beach area, where we teach sand sculpture techniques for free, (and costs us about $2000/year), has never got a grant.

This year, is a critical year. We are in a new location with much higher costs. Please, send a letter of support for SSF getting a grant for the Masters Exhibition and Contest, AND Lesson Beach.

We sincerely THANK YOU!

04/18/2024

Good News, Seaside Lodging Company will be a sponsor again this year. This mean the Salt Line, Inn at Seaside and River Inn at Seaside will all be sponsors for SandFest again. They are offering a 20% discount with the promo code SANDFEST24.

These hotels have given rooms to house the visiting sculptors every year. Thanks Seaside Lodging Company.

04/15/2024

Seaside SandFest this year will have to take place on the sand by the Turnaround. Because the State does not allow donations to happen on the beach, it looks like we'll have to have a gated admission. Not sure how I feel about that? but I see no other way.
This location has significantly more and higher costs.

Thoughts?

04/14/2024

Hello All,
Well, we've been told by the city that we can no longer have a hose across the Prom at 1st Ave. The fact that the Hood to Coast did so for 30 years, (And probably will again this year), doesn't matter.
So, it looks like we'll be moving to the Turn Around at the end of Broadway.

This means a few things, Folks will have to walk on the sand to see the sculptures.
Costs for that location are far higher.

Looking to see if we can add some sand sculpture teams this year as well.

Here's a photo of Dean Murray's 57 Chevy from last year.

12/24/2023

Season's Greetings to all from the Seaside SandFest.
Attached is a sand card that we made in Seaside in 2004, (Back when the Chamber was involved in events. We've asked them to be involved with SandFest, but they say they don't get involved with events anymore...)

Hopefully we can make a new Season's Greetings card next year!
(Card is designed for you to step in, and have your photo taken.) So far, we have no sponsors, (and in the past no one sponsor has seemed interested).

In the season of hope, we hope all of you have a great season!

09/15/2023

09/14/2023

Logo day

09/10/2023

SandFest has a great Lesson Beach area, with water, sand, and an instructor.

This is great for anyone that wants to learn how to make a serious sand castle, and those that already know how. For those that know how, we'll have a hose, and overnight security for those that want to make a multi-day piece.

Your chance to get you last sand sculpture in for the season.

09/06/2023

Bill Dow, from Billing MT will be back in Seaside for SandFest. Bill has been carving sand, pumpkins, and anything that doesn't move for most of his life.
Bill was the winner last year of the People's Choice award.
Bill is a past winner of the World Championships of sand in Harrison Hot Springs.
Expect Bill to give you lots to take photos of.

09/06/2023

Scott Dodson will be making his 1st appearance in Seaside this year. Scott is a "Castle Man", and you can expect Scott to make castles, or whole villages out of sand.
A real crowd pleaser.

09/06/2023

Our 1st Canadian Sculptor is Mr. Craig Mutch. Craig has been carving sand for 25 years, competing all over the world. Craig also happens to be a professional photographer, found object sculptor, and a great host and traveler.
Please give a warm shout out to Craig on his visit to Seaside.

09/06/2023

Wade Lapp will be coming to SandFest this year.
1st met Wade learning to carve melons. Since then, Wade has turned into a full time carver, carving wood, ice, pumpkins, sand, etc.
Expect Wade to Wow you with his creations.

09/06/2023

Bill (Aka William) Rose has been carving since about 1992. He was in Hawaii and his wife saw an ad for "Sand Castle Lessons". Since then, Bill has carved on winning teams, solo events, comercial projects, etc.
Bill is a serious craftsman when it comes to all aspects of home building. Makes serious models. And can frankly make about anything you can think of.

And he's the closest thing we have to a local, from Astoria OR.
We are super happy to have Bill back at the Seaside SandFest.

08/13/2023

Dean Murray will be coming back to Seaside SandFest Sept 14-17 2023. Dean is a multi-media artist and chef. Dean carves the big ice at Ice Alaska, winning numerous awards, and Dean is a championship pumpkin carver. He runs a huge pumpkin carving event in Ohio, and has been on TV on a number of shows as a pumpkin carver. Dean got recruited to try sand, and has added sand to his creative skills. We are always happy to have Dean back in the sand, and back in Seaside for SandFest.
Here's what he made last year at Seaside SandFest.
It was titled "King of Nothing", inspired by a Metallica song.
Join me in welcoming Dean back to Seaside SandFest, this Sept. 14-17, 2023

08/04/2023

So I was just told today that "There are too many events on the beach for the week of Sept 6-10", by the Oregon Parks Dept, which gives us our permit. And that SandFest is the one that will be cancelled.
I'm told that we can move to the next weekend, or not have an event at all.

So, meet me down in Seaside Sept 14-17th for the 2nd annual Seaside SandFest.

08/03/2023

Lisa Donze will be coming back to Seaside SandFest Sept 14-17 2023. Lisa has been an artist all her life, and got her start in sand at the Sand in the City® in Olympia WA. Lisa carves sand, snow and ice. She's been on numerous winning teams and done sand in the USA, Canada and India. Look to see her on the CBC "Race against the Tides" next year. We are super glad to have Lisa back in Seaside for SandFest.

Here's what she made last year at Seaside SandFest Sept 14-17 2023

07/30/2023

Some amazing stuff with super sand.

The heat didn’t stop the crowds from showing up to see the sand sculptures at Revere Beach, but the thunderstorms predicted for Saturday did postpone scheduled fireworks and a VIP reception.